I’m always asking other people what they’re reading. Maybe it’s because I love to read, but I’m so grateful for a good book recommendation. So if you have one, send it my way! When People Are Big And God Is Small came highly recommended to me by a dear friend. So naturally I went out and got my own copy as quickly as I could. My husband and I have actually enjoyed reading this together. People pleasing and insecurity have been obstacles to my faith for years. Reading this book has brought times of refreshing to my soul as I’ve been reminded of God’s truth. Don’t we all need a good reminder every so often?
“Need people less. Love people more.”
I love the challenge that this book presents to the reader. When we make people big in our lives, when we put too much attention, focus, worry, and energy into how others are going to perceive us, it’s sad but true how our view of God becomes much smaller and suddenly we find ourselves with blurred vision and overwhelmed hearts. Because we magnify people and what they might think of us, we fail to magnify the Lord. This should not be. However, when we view God in His rightful place in our lives, it’s incredible how we’re freed to love people as He would and fear them no longer. What I loved so much about this book is that it’s extremely relevant. Anyone out there ever struggled with peer pressure, codependency, fear of man, insecurities, worthlessness, rejection, and self-doubt? Yeah, that’s what I thought. This book is for you. God wants to set us free from these strongholds in our lives and to break the chains that have kept us bound.
The book is broken down into two sections. The first section addresses how and why we fear others. It puts a label on it. Sometimes, we’re able to see that we have a problem, but we just can’t figure out what it is or how to deal with it. The first five chapters do an excellent job of calling out our fears and then offering thought-provoking questions at the end to process through. If we can recognize the problem and be willing to admit that we need God’s help to overcome, we’re on our way to a life of freedom, which leads me to the second section of the book. The last half of the book addresses how to overcome the fear of others and its affects on us. The author supports his writing with a biblical foundation and practical application, two things that I love. It’s vitally important that we recognize what our needs are and choose to have those needs met in the Lord.
The author concludes with this statement: “Fear God and keep His commandments.” Proverbs 9:10 says “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Have you ever needed wisdom in your life? Fear the LORD. To fear the LORD is to recognize that He is Lord over all and to bow down in reverence to an awesome God. To keep His commandments is to walk in obedience to His Word. Both bring blessing into our lives. Both bless the heart of God.
I’ll leave you with this one verse to ponder. Remember, God’s Word is alive and active. It pierces, it penetrates, and it discerns the motives of our hearts. (Hebrews 4:12) May His Word change you today and bring new life and freedom to your soul.
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
debbie bradshaw says
Sounds like a great book, honey…might get it in the near future. Right now I’m reading “Extradordinary” by John Bevere. I love his books. I’ve read ” Bait of satan” and ” Under Cover”.which have been lifechanging for me. This book talks about grace but not about God’s unmerited favor but the part of grace that empowers us with everything we need to live a life of holiness..it’s great and uses a lot of scripture. I’m also reading a book by Billy Graham called ” Nearing Home”. After seeing how Big Cherie finished her race so strong and so used of God, I wanted to hear what Billy Graham had to say about his life and his perspective as he nears the end of his life here on earth. In our generation he’s probably lead more people to Jesus than anyone. He’s been so faithful in his calling.